Row counter for flat knitting machines



March 14, 1933. w. HEINITZ ROW COUNTER FOR FLAT KNITTING MACHINES Filed Nov. 14, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 14, 1933. W HE|N|TZ 1,901,745

ROW COUNTER FOR FLAT KNITTING MACHINES Filed Nov. 14, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I ,IIIIIIIIIIIII Patented Mar. 14, 1933 d'IATEfi UNETE \VOLDEI'IIAB HEINITZ, OF CHEMNITZ, GERMANY, ASSIGNOR TO SCHUIBERT & SALZFR IVZASCHINENFABRIK .AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT, F CHEMNITZ, GERIVLANY ROW COUNTER-FOR FLAT KNITTING MACHINES Application filed November 14, 1931, Serial No. 575,110, and in Germany August 29, 1929.

My invention relates to row counters for flat knitting machines of the type in which a rotary cylinder with a helical ridge is provided. 7

In the rowcounters of this type as heretofore designed the cylinders are mere switching elements which operate means for throwing in and out the driving mechanism of the machine in conformity with the number of loops for which the cylinder has been set. Such cylinders, however, do not indicate which row of loops is being knitted at a given time so that the operator is unable to survey the knitting process between the throwing in and the throwing out of the machine.

It is an object of my invention to sodesign a row counter of the type referred to that the operator is informed about the operation of the machine at any time. To this end I provide a member or slide which is operatively connected to the helical ridge of the cylinder and shifted as the cylinder rotates, normally in parallel to the axis of the cylinder, and on this member or slide I provide means for reading marks on the ridges of the cylinder which relate to the loops being knitted.

In a preferred embodiment of my invention I provide means for returning the cylinder and the member or slide to their initiai positions in combination with means for locking the cylinder against the action of the return means during its operaton, and automatic means for releasing the locking means at the end of the operation, so that the returning means are free to perform their functions, and the counter is ready for the next operation.

In the drawings affixed to the specification and forming part thereof a row counter embodying my invention is illustrated diagrammatically by way of example.

In the drawings Fig. 1 is an elevation of the row counter and a partly sectional elevation of the narrowing spindle with its nut,

Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the counter showing the rocking bearings for the cylinder,

Fig. 3 is a section on the line IIIIII in Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 is an end elevation of the counter, viewed from the left in Fig. l, and

Fig. 5 is a section on the line VV in Fig. 2.

Referring now to the drawings, 1 is the casing, and 2 is a shaft mounted to rock about its axis in the casing, as best seen in Fig. 2. 3 and 4 are vertical arms on the rocking shaft with bearings at their upper ends for the shaft 5 of the counter cylinder 6. The cylinder is equipped with a helical ridge 12, and dogs 38 are inserted in the groove 11 between two adjacent sides of the ridge, for a purpose which will be explained below. Any suitable means such as clamping wedges or the like (not shown) may be provided for holding the dogs 38 in their position in the grooves 11.

Fig. 1 shows the markings on the helical ridge 12. In the present instance they extend from the numerals 0 to 2000. The marks become. visible in a longitudinal slot 22 of the casing, as shown in Fig. 1, and an indicator 25 with an opening is provided on a slide 24 for pointing out the row of loops which is just being knitted, its numeral being 400 in the position illustrated. The siide 24 is guided in slots of parallel bars 23 at the upper and lower edges of slot 22, as best seen in Fig. 3. Reciprocation is imparted to the slide by a block 26 engaging in the groove 11.

Rotation is imparted to the cylinder 6 by means of a ratchet wheel 8 which is secured on the shaft 5 of the cylinder 6 outside the casing 1 and a cam 62, Fig. 4, which is rotated by any suitable driving mechanism, not shown. 63 and 65 are the arms of a double-armed lever which is fulcrumed at 64. The cam 62 acts on a roller at the free end of the arm 63. 67 is a tappet which is mounted to slide in a socket 66 at the rear of the casing 1, and 59 is a pawl which is pivoted at 58 to the outer end of an arm 57. Tie arm is mounted to rock on the shaft 5 of the cylinder 6 between the boss of the ratchet wheel 8 and the boss of a pinion 7. 88 is a set screw in the boss of the ratchet be described.

wheel, and 77 is a set screw in the boss of the pinion 7, by which these parts are held against rotation with respect to the shaft 5. The tappet 67 acts on an extension of the pawl 59. 60 is a tail on the pawl, and 61 is an adjustable check on the socket 66 which cooperates with the tail 60 to throw out the pawl as will be described.

69 is a spur gear in mesh with the pinion 7 which is mounted to rotate about a pivot 68 and is equipped with a spiral spring 7 0, Fig. 5, one end of which is attached to the pinion pivot 68 and the other to the spur gear 69. Tension is put on the spring when the shaft 5 is rotated clockwise by the pawl 59 so that the spring tends to return the cylinder 6 into its initial position after it has been unlocked. In order to prevent overstressing of the spring 70, a portion of the teeth on the spur gear 69 may be cut away.

Pivoted about a pin 14 at the outer end of an extension 13 of arm 3 is a second pawl 15 which prevents backward rotation of the ratchet wheel 8 under the action of the spring 70, 16 is a tail depending from the pawl 15, and 17 is an adjustable check on the casing 1 which cooperates with the tail for lifting the pawl 15 out of the wheel 8 as I will also be described.

20, Fig. 3, is a spring which is attached to the arm 4 at one end, and to a bracket at rear wall of the casing, for limiting the inward movement of the arm 4. In this manner the cylinder 6 with its shaft 5 will be rocked bodily about the axis of the shaft 2 unless prevented by means which will now 18 is a handle which extends outwardly from a slot in the casing 1 and may be integral with the arm 4 as shown. 19 is a. lug on the handle 18, and 52 is a spring catch which engages the lug 19 with its recessed end 54. The boss of catch 52 is secured on a shaft 42 which is mounted in bearings 41 below the slot 22. 53 is an arm extending upwardly from the boss of catch 52, 55 is a spring which is anchored in the casing 1 at its inner end and is secured to the arm 53 with its outer end. 56 is an adjustable check on the arm 53. The pull of "he spring 55 holds the catch 52 engaged with the lug 19 and locks the shaft 5 of the cylinder against rocking about the shaft 2 under the action of the spring 20.

The means for returning the slide 24 into its initial position in which it abuts on the adjustable check 32, are illustrated in Fig. 1. 27 is a pin at the front wall of the casing 1, 28 is a sheave which is mounted to rotate on the pin, 30 is a cable or other flexible member on the sheave 28 which is connected to a bracket 31 on the slide 24, and 29 is a spiral spring one end of which is attached to the pivot 27, its other end being attached to the sheave 28. The spring 29 tends to move the slide 24 to the left as far as permitted by an adjustable check 32, but is prevented by the means for locking the slide 24 in the position imparted to it by its cooperation with the ridge 12 of the cylinder 6, as will now be described. 33 is an arm which projects upwardly from the slide 24, 35 is a lever which is pivoted to the upper end of the arm at 34, and 36, Fig. 3, is a roller at the lower end of the lever 35. The lever 35 has a tooth 37 which projects into the groove 11 in the position illustrated in Fig. 3 and is adapted to be engaged by projections 39 on the lugs 38. 43 are short arms which extend upwards from the shaft 42, with their bosses arranged between the bearings 41, and 44 is horizontal rail of angular section which is secured to the upper end of the short arm 43 and is held engaged with the roller 36 of the lever 35 by the pull of the spring 55 which is transmitted to it through the arm 53. The rail 44 cooperates with the check 56 to throw out the catch 52, as will be described.

45 is an arm which is secured to the shaft 42 at the right beyond the boss of the spring catch 52 and its arm 53, 47 is a bell-crank lever which is fulcrumed at a suitable point in the frame of the machine, and 46 is a rod connecting the lever 45 to the bell-crank 47. The connection of the rod 46 and the lever 45 is resilient, for instance, the rod 46 may be divided and a spring (not shown) be inserted between its ends. 49 is a pawl which is connected to the bell-crank lever 47 by a connecting rod 48, and 51 is the narrowing ratchet wheel which is pivoted about a shaft and imparts intermittent movement to the covering warp, not shown.

73 is a rod which connects the handle 18 to a bell-crank lever 74 which is pivoted at 75, Fig. 1. 76 is an adjustable check on the free arm of the bell-crank lever, 78 is the narrowing spindle and 79 is the narrowing nut which is mounted to travel on the spindle and to operate the bell-crank lever 47 through its check 76.

9, Fig. 5 is a notched plate which is mounted on the shaft 5 between the boss of the arm 3 and the adjacent end of the cylinder 6, 10 is a notch in the plate, and 71 is a spring catch which is fulcrumed to an extension of the arm 3 at 18 and equipped with a spring 72 which tends to pull it into the notch 10. The notch marks the Zero or initial position of the cylinder 6 in which the numeral 0 appears in the opening of the indicator 25.

For operating the counter, the dogs 38 are inserted in the grooves 11 as required. The dog for the last row to be counted on a given article has a projection 40 which is higher than the projections 39 of the normal dogs. Fig. 3 shows the position of the parts when the counter is ready for operation. The shaft 5 of the cylinder is locked against rocking with its frame 3, 4 by the spring catch 52, and the slide 24 is in its initial position in which its end engages the check 32, Fig. 1, under the pull of the spiral spring 29. \Vhen the machine is started, the cam 62, Fig. 4, through the medium of the lever 63, 65, the tappet 67 and the pawl 59 on the rocking arm 57, rotates the shaft of the cylinder 6. By the pawl the cylinder is held in the position to which it has been rotated by the pawl 59 during the return or idle stroke of this pawl. The shaft 5 is rotated and the slide 24 is moved away from the check 32 as a result of the rotation, and tension is put on the return springs and 29. The inclicator 25 on the slide 24 marks on the ridge 12 the row which has just been finished. If one of the normal projections 39 on a dog 38 strikes the tooth 37 of the lever 35 the lever is rocked outwardly for a comparatively small angle and its roller 36 swings the rail 44 aside but not so far that it will reach the check 58 on the arm 53. The rocking movement of the shaft 42 under the action of the roller 36 rocks the arm 45 and, through the medium of its accessories, operates the ratchet wheel 51. The resilient connection at 46 permits the arm 45 to rock through a greater angle than corresponds to the movement of the pawl 49.

If the last dog 38 strikes the tooth 37 of the lever 35 with its higher projection 40, the movement which is imparted to the rail 44, carries the rail into engagement with the check 56 on the lever 53 and disengages the catch 52 from the lug 90 on the handle 18. The spring 20 is now free to rock the shaft 5 of the roller 6 to the rear until the boss of the arm 4 strikes the check 21 and the block 26 on the slide 24 is disengaged from the groove 11. The spring 29 now pulls the slide 24 to the left in Fig. 1 until it strikes the check 32, which is in its initial position. The rocking movement of the arms 3 and 4, with the shaft 5, causes the tails 16 and 60, Fig. 4, to strike the respective checks 17 and '61, throwing out the pawls 15 and 59, and permitting the spring 70, Fig. 5, to return the cylinder 6 into its initial position.

Before the counter is ready for another cycle the shaft 5 must be returned into the position in which the catch 52 engages the lug 19 on the handle 18, Fi 3. This is automatically eifected by the return of the narrowing nut 79 into its initial positi n which must be efiected for each new article. In this position it strikes the check 76 on the bell-crank lever 7 4 and moves down the rod 73 so that the catch 52 can reengage the lug l9.

While the shaft 5 with the cylinder 6 is rotated by the pawl 59 the spring catch 71 engages the notch 10 as often as the cylinder has completed a revolution, without interfering with the rotation of the cylinder. However, when the cylinder is released and returns into its zero position the catch engages in the notch 10 and fixes the cylinder in this position.

in the example shown and described the means for rocking the cylinder back into the position in which the block 26 on its slide 24 engages in the groove 11 for connecting the cylinder and the slide, are con trolled by the nut 7 9 of the narrowing spindle 78, but this may be altered without departing from my invention. For instance, means (not shown) may be provided for locking the machine against operation until the cylinder 6 has been returned to its initial position and into engagement with the block 26 of the slide 24.

The means for connecting the counter with the parts of the knitting machine as shown and described are of a purely mechanical character. Obviously electric, pneumatic or other means might be provided for this connection and instead of the return springs 29 and 70, or one of them, electric, pneumatic or other means mi ht be provided without departing from my invention.

1 wish it to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to the exact details of construction shown and described for obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

In the claims affixed to this specification no selection of any particular modification of the invention is intended to tae exclusion of other modifications thereof and the right to subsequently make claim to any modification not covered by these claims is expressly reserved.

I claim 1. A. row counter for flat knitting machines comprising a rotary cylinder having a helical ridge with marks corresponding to the numbers of rows being knitted, means for rotating said cylinder, a member adapted to be positively connected to the helical ridge of said cylinder so as to be shifted as the cylinder rotates, means on said member for indicating the marks on said ridge which correspond to the rows being knitted at a given relative position of said member and said cylinder, means for returning said cylinder and said, member to their initial positions, means for locking said cylinder against the action of said returning means, and automatic means for releasing said locking means.

2. A row counter for flat knitting machines comprising a rotary cylind r having a helical ridge. with marks corresponding to the numbers of rows being knitted, means for rotating said cylinder, a member adapted to be positively connected to the helical ridge of said cylinder as to be shifted as the cylinder rotates, means on said member for indicating the marks on said ridge which correspond to the rows being knitted at a given relative position of said member and said cylinder, springs connected to said cylinder and to said member in such manner that tension is put on the springs by the operation of said cylinder-rotating means, means for locking said cylinder against the action of said springs, and automatic means for releasing said locking means.

3. A row counter for flat knitting machines comprising a rotary cylinder having a helical ridge with marks corresponding to the numbers of rows being knitted, means for rotating said cylinder, amember at apted to be positively connected to the helical ridge of said cylinderso as to be shifted as the cylinder rotates, means on said member for indicating the marks on said ridge which correspond to the rows being knitted at a given relative position of said member and said cylinder, springs connected to said cylinder and to said member in such manner that tension is put on the springs by the operation of said cylinder-rotatiig means, means for locking said cylinder against the action of said springs, automatic means for releasing said locking means, and automatic means for moving said ridge and said memher out of their positive engagement.

4. A row counter for flat knitting machines comprising a rotary cylinder having a helical ridge with marks corresponding to the numbers of rows being knitted, means for rotating said cylinder. a member adap ed to be positively connected to the helical ridge of said cylinder so as to be shifted the cylinder rotates, means on said member for indicating the marks on said ridge which correspond to the rows being knitted at a given relative position of said member and said cylinder, means for returning said cylinder and said member to their initial positions, means for locking said cylinder against the action of said returning means, and an adjustable dog on said cylinder for throwing out said locking means.

5. A row counter for flat knitting machines, comprising a casing, a frame mounted to rock in said casing, a cylinder mounted to rotate in said rocking frame and having a helical ridge with. marks co responding to the numbers of rows being knitted, means on said frame for rotating said cylinder, a member mounted to reciprocate on said casing and adapted to be positively connected to the helical ridge of said cylinder so as to be shifted as the cylinder rotates, means on said member for indicating the marks on said ridge, means tending to move said frame into a position in which the member and the ridge are disconnected, means for throwing out said cylinder-rotating means in the disconnecting position of said frame, means for locking said frame in the position in which said member and said cylinder are connected, and automatic means under the control of said cylinder for throwing out said locking means.

6. A row counter for flat knitting machines, comprising a casing, a frame mounted to rock in said casing, a cylinder mounted to rotate in said rocking frame and having a helical ridge with marks corresponding to the numbers of rows being knitted, means on said frame for rotating said cylinder, a slide mounted to reciprocate in a slot of said casing, in parallel to the axis of said cylinder, a block on said slide adapted to engage the helical ridge of said cylinder, means on said slide for indicating the marks on said ridge, means tending to move said frame into a position in which the slide and the ridge are disconnected, means for throwing out said cylinder-rotating means in the disconnecting position of said frame, means for locking said frame in the position in which said slide and said cylinder are connected, and automatic means under the control of said cylinder for throwing out said locking means.

7. A row counter for flat knitting machines, comprising a casing, a frame mounted to rock in said casing, a cylinder mounted to rotate in said rocking frame and having a helical ridge with marks corresponding to the numbers of rows being knitted, means on said frame for rotating said cylinder, a member mounted to reciprocate on said casing and adapted to be positively connected to the helical ridge of said cylinder so as to be shifted as the cylinder rotates, means on said member for indicating the marks on said ridge, means tending to move said frame into a position in which the member and the ridge are disconnected, means for throwing out said cylinder-rotating means in the disconnecting position of said frame, means for locking said frame in the position in which said member and said cylinder are connected, an adjustable 1 dog on said cylinder, and a rocking lever on said casing adapted to be engaged by said dog and to throw out said locking means.

8. A row counter for flat knitting machines, comprising a casing, a frame mounted to rock in said casin a cylinder mounted to rotate in said rocking frame and having a helical ridge with marks corresponding to the numbers of rows being knitted, means on said frame for rotating said cylinder, a slide mounted to reciprocate in a slot of said casing in parallel to the axis of said cylinder, a check on said casing adapted to limit the movement of said check into its initial position, a spring so arranged that tension is put on it when said slide is moved out of its initial position, a block on said slide adapted to engage the helical ridge of said cylinder, means on said slide for indicating the marks on said ridge, means tending to move said frame into a position in which the slide and the ridge are disconnected, means for throwing out said cylinder-rotating means in the disconnecting position of said frame, means for looking said frame in the position in which said slide and said cylinder are connected, and automatic means under the control of said cylinder for throwing out said locking means.

9. A row counter for fiat knitting machines, comprising a casing, a frame mounted to rock in said casing, a cylinder mounted to rotate in said rocking frame and having a helical ridge with marks corresponding to the numbers of rows being knitted, a ratchet wheel on said cylinder, a pawl on said frame adapted to engage in said ratchet wheel for rotating said cylinder, means on said casing for reciprocating said pawl, a member mounted to reciprocate on said casing and adapted to be positively connected to the helical ridge of said cylinder so as to be shifted as the cylinder rotates, means on said member for indicating the marks on said ridge, means tending to move said frame into a position in which the member and the ridge are disconnected, means on said casing for throwing said pawl out of the teeth of said ratchet wheel when said frame is in its disconnecting position, means for locking said frame in the position in which said member and said cylinder are connected, and automatic means under the control of said cylinder for throwing out said locking means.

10. A row counter for flat knitting machines, comprising a casing, a frame mounted to rock in said casing, a cylinder mounted to rotate in said rocking frame and having a helical ridge with marks corresponding to the numbers of rows being knitted, a ratchet wheel on said cylinder, a pawl on said frame adapted to en age in said ratchet wheel for rotating said cylinder, means on said casing for reciprocating said pawl, a locking pawl, also on said frame, for preventing backward rotation of said ratchet wheel during the idle periods of said firstmentioned pawl, a member mounted to reciprocate on said casing and adapted to be positively connected to the helical ridge of said cylinder so as to be shifted as the cylinder rotates, means on said member for indi dating the marks on said ridge, means tending to move said frame into a position in which the member and the ridge are disconnected, means on said casing for throwing said pawls out of the teeth of said 65 ratchet wheel when said frame is in its disconnecting position, means for locking said frame in the position in which said member and said cylinder are connected, and automatic means under the control of said cylinder for throwing out said locking means.

11. A row counter for flat knitting machines comprising a rotary cylinder having a helical ridge with marks corresponding to the numbers of rows being knitted, means for rotating said cylinder, a member adapted to be positively connected to the helical ridge of said cylinder so as to be shifted as the cylinder rotates, means on said member for indicating the marks on said ridge which correspond to the rows being knitted at a given relative position of said member and said cylinder, a spring catch for holding said cylinder in its zero position, and a spring which iswound upon the rotation of said cylinder by said means and tends to return said cylinder into its zero position.

12. A row counter for flat knitting machines, comprising a casing, a frame mounted to rock in said casing, a cylinder mounted to rotate in said rocking frame and having ahelical ridge with marks correspond ing to the numbers of rows being knitted, means on said frame for rotating said cylinder, a member mounted to reciprocate on said casing and adapted to be positively connected to the helical ridge of said cylinder so as to be shifted as the cylinder rotates, means on said member for indicating the marks on said ridge, means tending to move said frame into a position in which the member and the ridge are disconnected, means for throwing out said cylinder-rotating means in the disconnecting position of said frame, means for locking said frame in the position in which said member and said cylinder are connected, automatic means under the control of said cylinder for throwing out said locking means, and means under the control of a part of the knitting machine for returning said frame into its connecting position with respect to said member.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

WOLDEMAR HEINITZ. 

